The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Wayne Ricks bestowed 2010 Louisiana State Star award

    Wayne Ricks, Senior Business Consultant at Southeastern’s Louisiana Small Business Development Center, was awarded the 2010 Louisiana State Star by the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC).

    The award was recently presented at the conference of the Association of Small Business Development Centers in San Antonio, Texas.

    Ricks was awarded the Louisiana State Star for his excellence in business development and positive impact on local small business.

    The Louisiana State Star Award recipient is evaluated by means of a point system. This system reviews, among other things, performance statistics, overall impact within the community and customer satisfaction. After receiving a nomination, the candidate’s portfolio goes before a state review board and the board then chooses a candidate to be that year’s recipient. Only one recipient is chosen in the State of Louisiana.

    Ricks, who holds a bachelor of science in finance and masters of business administration from Southeastern, specializes in the development of regional small business. At the LSBDC, he caters to the individual needs of clients on a case by case basis. Since his employment with the LSBDC in 2005, Ricks has helped to start some 55 businesses.

    Through his help, the businesses have gained more than $136 million in capital. To date, Ricks’ efforts have helped to generate more than 1,400 local jobs and retain over 130.

    “We promote economic development and make sure that businesses are healthy in the area. About 50 percent of our clients are starting a small business. One day I’m working with a day care, the next day I’m working with a manufacturing plant. It’s pretty random.” said Ricks when asked about his favorite aspect of the job.

    “Since 1984, the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) has provided the tools and resources necessary to help businesses grow and compete in an increasingly challenging global economy,” states the LSBDC website.

    The LSBDC provides free personal counseling sessions to local business owners and those thinking about starting their own businesses alike. Operating to aid St. Tammany, Livingston, Tangipahoa, Washington and St. Helena Parishes, the LSBDC provides a priceless resource to Southeastern Louisiana.

    More information on the Louisiana Small Business Development Center can be found via their Web site at www.selu.edu/admin/sbdc/ or by telephone, 985-549-3831.

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